Pakistan to soon get $ 400 million US emergency aid

United States Presiden Barack Obama

“We are helping Pakistan combat the insurgency within its borders—including $400 million in immediate assistance that we are seeking from Congress, which will help the government as it steps up its efforts against the extremists,” Obama

WASHINGTON, May 7: The United States will soon provide $400 million in emergency economic assistance to Pakistan, President Barack Obama said as he vowed to support the democratic government as quickly as possible towards overcoming militant insurgency. “We are helping Pakistan combat the insurgency within its borders—including $400 million in immediate assistance that we are seeking from Congress, which will help the government as it steps up its efforts against the extremists,” Obama said, emerging from trilateral talks he hosted with President Asif Ali Zardari and his Afghan counterpart.

According to sources the immediate assistance will help meet some of the immediate priorities for socio‑economic development of the people. The assistance will help the country deal with the humanitarian needs arising from the fight against insurgents.

The White House is urging Congress to move quickly on economic assistance initiatives designed to help the government deliver services for the Pakistani people.

“Within Pakistan, we must provide lasting support to democratic institutions, while helping the government confront the insurgents who are the single greatest threat to the Pakistani state,” Obama said.

“And we must do more than stand against those who would destroy Pakistan ‑ we must stand with those who want to build Pakistan.  And that is why I’ve asked Congress for sustained funding, to build schools and roads and hospitals. I want the Pakistani people to understand that America is not simply against terrorism—we are on the  side of their hopes and their aspirations, because we know that the future of Pakistan must be determined by the talent, innovation, and intelligence of its people,” he said. (APP)